West - Colorado Resort - Best place to stay in summer

I'm looking for some suggestions on a resort in the mountains of Colorado in the off-season.

Though I don't have any little ones, my BFF :p will be bringing her 5 year old daughter on our trip, it's a girls getaway thing. If we could find a nice resort wit kids activities, that would be awesome. A place that offers evening activities so we can go out a little or an onsite baby sitting service would be great.

Looking for a place that isn't completely dead in the off-season. We'll want to do some shopping, some outdoor activities, some hiking or biking. Yoga classes are a plus.

Any ideas? No real limits on price. I'd like to get Hilton or Marriott points for the stay but that's not a 100% must.

I looked at Hyatt Beaver Creek because they have Camp Hyatt in the summer but the area seems to get very quiet in the summer and may not have much for us big kids to do.

Thanks!!

Off-season in the mountains? What's that. There used to be "shoulder season" which was like May and October but lately those have been going away. I think you will find there is plenty going on in the mountains, especially in the Summer. Actually my favorite time to go up is Summer.

That being said, anyplace in Vail would be great, but Beaver Creek would also be very nice. BC is usually a bit more mellow generally but I still think you would find plenty to do there.

Vail would tend to have more of a town scene, with more stuff going on. I'd guess, depending on the 5 year old's activity level, that that's probably the easier place to find things for everyone to do, although I tend to like Beaver Creek more.

But yeah, things are generally *more* busy in the summer than in the Winter (traffic is certainly worse). There's no 'off-season', unless it's just after the leaves have changed and just before any snow falls. That's the only time I've ever seen anything in the mountains 'dead'.

We really enjoyed Breckenridge.

Cool ^ Thanks for the tips. I've actually been through Vail and some other towns in the area in the summer and it seemed busy to me. I didn't stay there though, just made long stops as driving to Grand Junction a couple of times. I was just doing some reading and others commented on a lack of activities. Personally, I hate snow and definitely prefer the mountains in summer. My last trip to CO was in August and I loved it.

We may choose Denver as a home base and take a day trip or two into the mountains. I don't mind the drive (actually I love it) and we'll be able to do some kid stuff in Denver.

For sure, Denver up to the mountains is easy enough, though, with the traffic comment, I'd high recommend *not* driving back to Denver on a Sunday afternoon or up to the mountains on a Friday afternoon. As long as you can avoid peak traffic, that should be totally doable/enjoyable.

Colorado actually receives more tourists during the summer than in the ski season, so the "off season" offers a lot to do for all ages.

The "mud" season is the few weeks right after the ski areas close and the snow starts melting at lower altitudes. Resorts, shops, restaurants, etc. that rely a lot on temporary labor sometimes give their people some time off before the main summer season. It's also when the weather can change from spring-like to winter, sometimes in the same day. This is typically around the April time frame.

Any resort is good for outdoor activities during the summer.

I think Durango is one of the nicest small towns in America and has plenty of activities for adults and kids. Narrow gauge railway to Silverton, Mesa Verde and the four corners and easy side trips to Ouray and Telluride would top my list. You can fly directly or drive from Denver through some of the prettiest scenery in the USA.

Have fun.

We may choose Denver as a home base and take a day trip or two into the mountains. I don't mind the drive (actually I love it) and we'll be able to do some kid stuff in Denver.I'd seriously reconsider staying in DEN if you want to be in the mountains - you're looking at at lease 90 min each way to West Denver.

If you stay in Avon, you can do Grand Junction/Glenwood Springs/etc as a day trip as well as GOlden/Denver as a day trip. Maybe One Ski Hill Place in Breck?